The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

C.-C. They’ve just sent this up from the “Champion Arms.”

Elizabeth. Thank you.

[Without embarrassment she opens the letter. They watch her while she reads it. It covers three pages. She puts it away in her bag.

Lady Kitty. Hughie, I wish you’d fetch me a cloak. I’d like to take a little stroll in the garden, but after thirty years in Italy I find these English summers rather chilly.

[Without a word Porteous goes out. Elizabeth is lost in thought.

I want to talk to Elizabeth, Clive.

C.-C. I’ll leave you.

[He goes out.

Lady Kitty. What does he say?

Elizabeth. Who?